Another Eve'ish'

I guess it's the eve to New Years Eve but still it's an eve. . . Anyway. Things have changed drastically since I last wrote. The old group left yesterday which now makes us the old group. The new group arrived today during our afternoon shift. It's exciting to have new spirits in the house. Yet, extrememly strange to be seeing them and remember how I was when I first got here!! It's one of those times in your life that you actually get to see the other side of things. Strange.
It is an amazing feeling to finally feel like these kids are 'my' kids. It was hard for the old group, just as it will be hard for us, to give up that ownership that they're your kids. Now that we're the older group it's grand!!!
We found out yesterday that there are four kids that have been assigned families!!! And two of them are going to be siblings and living in the states!!! Everyone is so excited for them and hopes that the families will be able to do the finishing processes of adoption quickly, and that everything goes well!! Pray for the children that they will bond and be happy with the families that have been chosen.
For the New Years the volunteers get to participate in the Ecuadorian New Years tradition. The tradition is that you get a doll about 5 feet tall, stuffed like a dummy, and dressed in clothes with a mask for a face. Then, you write down all your bad habits and anything bad that has happened too you throughout the year. And then you pin it to the doll and burn it!! Thus representing all your bad habits and problems being burnt away and no more. Everyone is way excited!!!
That's the exciting events of Katrina's life!!
Love you all and hope you've had a wonderful holiday season!!
chao

I Can't believe it's already Christmas Eve!

First off, Wow I didn't realize how fast time can go! It's Christams Eve and I can't even believe it! I feel like only yesterday I was saying goodbye to everyone. I'm not sure if I've said this but it's been really strange getting ready for Christmas when it's 90 degrees outside and no snow. I hear ya'll are getting snowed on I hope you all stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas.

Well, let me get you all updated. I got my Site Assignment last week. . . and the verdict is. I'm now the Mom of the OSSO orphanage which takes care of the handicapped children!! This assignment means that I'll be specializing in this orphange learning on a more one-on-one bases the needs of the children and training the new group on what to do!! I couldn't be more happy with my assignment. Every day that I'm here I find that I have more love in my heart then I ever knew I even had. I understand what the older group of girls keep saying when they just exclaim "I just love these kids". I used to think, "well yea, how could you not? They're cute and fun to be around." But no, I understand the deeper meaning of love! That unconditional love that parents have for their children!
Christmas here in Ecuador is full of Fiestas and parades and tons, I mean TONS of food!! We have had at least five fiestas a week and the kids get toys and candy like there is no tomorrow. It's wonderful to see the community reaching out to these children and giving to them what they can. They call Santa Clause "Papa Noel" down here and we had one boy in the OSSO Orphange that had us all dress up in a robe and other random articles of clothing and act like Papa Noel. He just squealed with laughter and delight as we 'HoHoHo'ed and rubbed our belly's. Even the OSSO Children know it's christmas time and love helping us make decorations for their Casas and dressing up in costumes and especially eating candy! One little girl always goes 'hohoho' and rubs her belly it's the cutest thing in the world.
We now have two families volunteering with us down here for the next week so that brings the total persons in our home to 31! It's a blast. The older girls are leaving on Monday, and it's going to be really hard to see them leave. Hardest because it means that we become the older group and that's just weird. I remember when we first got here what they looked like to me and how much love they had for these kids, and I don't feel like I thought they looked! But, maybe I am. We have a closing Banquet on Saturday which is going to be bitter sweet.
This week we went on Zip Lines in the mountains!! It was crazy insane! I got to go upside down or Mariposa which is Butterfly on one and it was nuts. We also got the opportunity to take a portion of the girls orphange that we go to twice a week for an hour swimming today in these natural heated swimming pools. It was a lot of fun to just splash around and give the girls an enjoyable afternoon.
This past month has been amazing and I'm looking forward to spending the next one as the Mom at my site. Hopefully I'll get some of the landscape pictures up really soon for you all. And I hope I can get an update done more often for you all. But if not, it just means that I've got to come visit you all and share my stories! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all I hope this holiday season is filled with love and charity to those around you!

Week two down

Well it's December now and I've been here for over two weeks. I've worked just about everywhere and absolutely love them all. The one place I tend to love to be at is a place that cares for handicapped children. They really are my favorite to be around. The spirit that is carried there is different then any other place. I really want to be a Site Leader there. When I first was reading about the different orphanges I thought that I would not enjoy this place because of the difficulty of care, but I absolutely love it there. Most of the kids can't talk or walk. But it's amazing to see how responsive and smart each and everyone one of them is. To see their likes and dislikes, strengths, and different forms of communication. There is one boy who tells us everything we need to do and how to do it. And the amazing thing is he can't talk! He points and grunts and says yes or no when we ask questions.
We find out in the next week if and where we have assignments to be assistants to. So, just a little bit more about what's been happening this past week. Thanksgiving was a blast. We cooked a full turkey and had mashed potatoes, rolls, pies, cooked vegs, fruit, everything you could think of! It was a blast. I live with 12 other female volunteers in a moderatly sized town house. I'm rooming with two other girls which is a blast. We've all gotten along fabulously. Of course we have our dramas (how could you not with 13 girls living in one house). They are all amazing women with so many talents and abilities I'm learning everyday from them and the children.
The day after Thanksgiving we all decorated for Christmas. We've got a christmas tree, lights, snow flakes, stockings, Santa, and garland on the stairs. We've all drawn names for secret Santa and it's fun! Our Project Directors told us it's the best decorating any group of volunteers has done in the 8 years they've been here!
Ecuador is an amazing place. We got to go on a fieldtrip to these Inca ruins on Thursday. It was fasinating to just see more of Ecuador and it's culture. The architecture, food, clothing, music, all of it is fascinating. Things are quite cheap here too! I can get amazing ice cream for 90 cents!! and a huge plate of Dinner for under 5 bucks! The art work here is beautiful I've already got a few pieces in mind to buy. If anyone really wants something from down here just let me know!! I'd be happy to bring it home for you.
Not much of anything else has happened. Just working hard everyday until I'm exhausted. Hope everyone is well and taking care of themselves! Happy Holidays.

I"M HERE

I'M HERE!!!!!! Finally after three flights and two days of travel we safely made it down here. We meet the older group this afternoon and had our first realy meal in two days!! We got to unpack a little and get settled before having orientation. At orientation we talked over rules, safety, and some procedures. After that we had a city tour, and walked around the area!! It's absolutely amazing here. The streets are all practically one way, everythings smashed together and it's so busy!! It might be a third world country but it sure is industrial and full of hundreds of people.
The only thing that scares me besides not making eye-contact with the men is the fact that drivers don't watch out or stop for pedestrians!!! Everything is beautiful and green. We had amazing ice cream and then we had dinner at home with the older group. Got to know everyone and now it's 8 pm and I'm getting ready for bed. We start work tomorrow at 7!!!

The eve before I leave DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN!!! I'm scared out of my shoes and excited beyond belief!!! I spent all day yesterday packing up my thousands of items. I was twenty pounds over the limit the first time I weighed it and right on the dot the second time!! Of course I still need to take everything with me, so I've got a very heavy carry on.
The past three days have been quite exhausting. Monday night, my mom surprised me by inviting the ward and family members over after dinner to say goodbye. It was nice to see everyone and say goodbye but exhausting just the same. (I was also very worried about my Boyfriend and his toe) Well Tuesday was packing and shopping for the rest of my necessities. It was overwhelming seeing all the things I needed to pack and it made me homesick, and I haven't even left yet!!!! But I got it done, and eventually got to go to the temple to brighten both mine and my boyfriends days. The peace of that place is amazing. And the very romantic dance we had after on the temple grounds was amazing as well!! ask me for the juicey details later ;-) So, yesterday though tiring was very lovely. Today, was final touches. Finishing paperwork which is still not done and saying my last goodbyes. I really should clean my room before I go. . . . . .

TOMORROW THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!!!

Three Days left STATE-SIDE

Alright everyone three days left state-side!!! I haven't started packing yet either :-) It's almost too hard to. Packing makes leaving that much more real. The closer it gets the harder it seems to leave. Yes i've lived out on my own and know that I'll be just fine. It's just the thought of really being gone. Not just 45 minutes away, but really gone, is kinda hard.
Alright, enough gripping. There isn't much to say at this point except how excited I am. There are a few things that I have to say about this blog. As nice as it is going to be to tell my stories in one location I have some restrictions that I previously had not thought about. My restricitons invovle how much information I can write about. Unfortunantly, I will not be able to tell stories in depth or hoist pictures of the children (you'll just have to ask my mom to see them). I'll be able to put my sightseeing and pictures of myself but non of the children. I understand and accept these regulations becuase they are for the protection of the children I will be working with.
I will be able to tell stories just more vaguely and without names. I'm looking forward to the next three months!!

4:50 IN THE MORNING

Just over a week and I'll be on my plane headed for South America!!! I Finally got all my intinerary. It is my pleasure to announce that my flight leaves at 6:50 in the Morning. Meaning that I and my parents have to be there at 4:50 in the MORNING!!! AHHHHHHHHH it's sooooo early!!! But, alas it is my fate.
I was asked to be the Travel Leader for the trip down. Yippy!! I get all the responsibility of the group and makeing sure everyone's on the flight and that we meet up with everyone in Houston. I'm kind of understanding my boyfriends stand on not wanting the leadership but getting asked to do it anyway!(yes I said boyfriend for those of you who don't know he got home a week and a half ago!) I'm excited but it just means that I have to worry a little more about everyone else. I guees I really shouldn't have to stress because it's already something I'm already a pro at :-P
So, I'll be flying out of Salt Lake City early early early in the morning and flying into Houston and having a 5 hour lay-over there. Where I'll be doing 'get to you' games and making sure everyone gets on the flight to Quito. I'll fly to Quito stay the night and head onto another plane to Cuenca!!
My packing list keeps getting longer and I'm only supposed to take one suitcase that weighs 50lbs. And I can't start packing until I get my insect repellent from the Health Department on Thursday so my packing won't start until Friday! Oh the excitments of all the preperations.

Speaking of packing they've sent me a list of items that they are in need of. If anyone wants to get things from the list I will gladly pack them into my suitcase. The list is below:
List of supplies needed in the orphanages
- XL and M swimming diapers
- hand sanitizer
- anti-bacterial wipes
- scotch and masking tape
- baby shampoo and conditioner
- baby wipes
- baby lotion
- kids books (preferably English and Spanish)
- balloons
- children’s and adult’s toothpaste
- children’s toothbrushes
- Tacky glue
- sand box toys
- craft feathers (or anything else for crafts and activities)
- beads
- mattress protectors (for twin beds)
- chalk
- puzzles (100 pieces or less)
- diaper rash cream
- toothbrush containers
Just message me on here or shoot me an e-mail to let me know if you want to donate anything.

Lessons on not getting Scammed

Well, here it is less then one month away. I was able to acquire all the necessary funds to go!!!! However, it wasn't by selling my laptop. No that was an interesting story of which I am now goinig to tell. So, I posted my laptop onto KSL.com where within a few days I recieved a message from someone interested in buying my laptop. I thought, "Great! I'm going to get this sold sooner then I thought." . . . . Well, after responding I got another e-mail saying that this lady wanted me to ship it to South Africa, without meeting her, and that once i shipped it she'd reimburse me the cost. After talking with my family I responded with the facts that I would prefer to meet in person and allow her the "joy" of mailing it that far away. The e-mail became invalid after that. SOMONE TRIED TO SCAM ME!!

So, attempt two. I posted the laptop on e-bay, five day auction, I set a reserve price to protect myself from losing it. So, one-two days go by no bids. Third day very low and just rediculous bids. It's not even close to my reserve. I keep getting messages with people wanted to buy it from me if I'll stop the auction (which I can't do) and they want me to ship it to Africa! All I believe six of them, that I never responded to, wanted me to ship it to some overseas place. Yea right!

Then about ten hours before the bid closes, someone bid the exact price of my reserve. I thougth this kind of odd because you normally see odd bids and I didn't expect it to jump that much. I was ok. I thought, "oh well that's kind of weird, but at least I'll have my money and maybe others will keep going". The bid closes and it hasn't moved, so I send him an invoice. He actually ended up being in England so I sent him an invoice with the correct shipping prices.

Next day, I get an e-mail from e-bay telling me that the transaction has been cancelled and that the bid was invalid because the username who bid the winning bid didn't authorize the bid!!! Then I get an e-mail from the supposed guy saying he deposited the money into my paypal account. but not only did he deposit the bid price but an additional 100 dollars plus almost double the shipping costs. I don't get it. . . .so I go check my paypal account. . . . there's nothing there! I decided to just lay low. Next day, I get an e-mail from e-bay telling me to go ahead and ship the item that everythings been squared away. I get an e-mail from paypal saying they need the tracking number in order to transfer the funds into my account. . . I thought to myself. . . "No, I"m going to double check on this" So, I went to e-bay and in my inbox the only thing was the cancellation e-mail. Nothing else. I double checked the response from the guy and guess what the shipping address had been changed to.... Africa!!! Now, I was really not happy. I called paypal and they clearified that all e-mails that they send have my first and last name in it. The e-mails I got, my e-bay username!!! I was freaken getting scammed AGAIN!!!! This time though I went through and reported all the e-mails, changed all my passwords, and prayed that they didn't get any information on me!!!!

So, lesson to learn. Really double and triple check your sources and what's going on. I was so lucky not to have lost anything but my time. However, through it all the Lord has blessed me with the money to go!! And I get to keep my laptop. Yea.

Being gone won't be so hard.

So, here it is another late night blog. I'm 39 days away from departure. I can't believe how close it's gotten. It feels like only yesterday I was finding all the information and filling out the application form. It's also interesting to note how many people, I know personally, that have gone on the same OSSO project, and haven't told me till now!!! At least five people have come out of the wood work! I think it's wonderful. If there's anyone who wants to share their story with me I'd love to post it here on my blog!!!
A lot of people have been mentioning about me being gone for all the big holidays. And I wanted to express my opinions in writting. I've lived in a beautiful home with good new clothes on my back, and a table completely full of food for the past twenty years of my life. I haven't been rich or had all the money I could spend, but my parents have loved me and raised me in the best way they knew how. I have never wanted for any necessity, only commodity, in my life. And yes it will be hard to be away from the one's I love. But as hard as it will be to not have my family near at a time that I have always had them close by. I can not bare another year thinking that in this world there are children without shoes, without food, and without the most important thing love. I cannot bare to think of it and not do anything. So, this is my chance to give back to the world a little bit of the happiness and love it has so freely given me.
This is not to say that I'm not scared out of my mind. Because I'm pretty nervous. I've lived on my own but was in 45 min driving distance of my mommy. In 39 days I will be in a city were I know no one. In a country where the native tongue is only one I know how to say, "Mi llamo Katrina" and "que hora es?" but I know the experience will outweigh my fear in an instance!!
Besides I'm going to be celebrating ever holiday I'll be missing. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and yes even New Years!! It's going to be a blast and anyone is welcome. November 15th my house. I'm planning a turkey pinata, christmas/all denomination celebration, mid-night countdown(make sure to bring someone with you because there's going to be New Year's Kissing!!!) and it's just a chance to see everyone one last time before I go. Those last few days are going to be packing time (actually probably the night before will be :-P) Anywho, love you all, hope to see you all there to party with me.

How it all began

So, I thought it might be good to tell everyone how my adventure came about. Two years ago, a very important person in my life, left to serve an LDS Mission in Australia. As exciting as it was for him to go, it was also very difficult. I felt left behind in some ways. I was staying home to do school and focus on myself. Something I feel like I've always been doing, focusing on myself. It got me thinking, was there something I could do to give back to the world. I knew an LDS Mission for myself wasn't what I wanted to focus on, I wanted something a little shorter but just as much of an impact.
I had always wanted to go on the projects that come around in High School to build schools or provide humanitarian work for third world countries. The only thing was I'm not in High School and I had no idea where to look for a good organization to go with. But, to my amazement the organization found me. One day as I was waiting for my History class to begin I was reading the Weber State's newspaper and there in the advertisaments was an ad for OSSO. At first, I didn't get too excited because I wanted to make sure that I found a good solid organization that was going provide the safest and most productive experience.
I went onto their website and was completely sold. The pictures and stories from previous volunteers stole my heart and I knew that this program was the one I would be going with. And, after checking their rules, regulations, polices, etc. I was even more converted!!
It's taken a year and a half to get everything on my end finalized (darn money). I will be going for a full three months. November 20 through Feburary 6th. Yes, I will be gone over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. I get the opportunity to share it with the children of Ecuador. I hope to post weekly while I'm down there, I'm not so sure how well our Internet Connection will be. I will also be posting my pictures and sharing all my stories so stay tuned as my story unfolds.

Starting Out

O.k. so this is my first attempt at blogging and I'm going to see how it goes. I wanted to create something for my family and friends to read, or not-read, about my endeavors down to Ecuador.
I'll be leaving November 20th (43 days away). AHHHH!! I'm very excited and not so sure at the same time. Right now I'm just working to even make the money to go. But, if my laptop sells like I hope it does, I'll be just fine. I'm going to keep this one short because it's late and I'm wanting to see how this whole thing works out. So, for tonight peace and love to all. Be watching for much more on Katrina Moffett and her adventures to South America!!